Author: Sharon

16. ON THE POSSESSION OF PEACE AND REST BEFORE GOD

The soul that is faithful in the exercise of that love and adherence to God already described is astonished to feel Him gradually taking possession of its whole being; and now enjoys a continual sense of that presence which is become, as it were, natural to it. This presence diffuses an unusual serenity throughout all our faculties — it calms the mind, and gives sweet repose and quiet, even in the midst of our daily labors; but then we must be resigned to Him without reserve.

We must, however, urge it as a matter of the highest importance, to cease from self-action and self-exertion, that Divine Power may act alone; He saith by the mouth of His prophet David, “Be still, and know that I am God.”(88) Yet those greatly err, who accuse this species of prayer of idleness, a charge that can only arise form inexperience. If they would but make some efforts towards the attainment of it, they would soon experience the contrary or what they suppose, and find their accusation groundless.

This appearance of inaction is, indeed, not the consequence of sterility and want, but of fruitfulness and abundance; this will be clearly known by the experienced soul, which will know and feel, that its silence is full and unctuous, and the result of causes totally the reverse of apathy and barrenness. The interior is not a stronghold to be taken by storm and violence; but a Kingdom of Peace, which is to be gained only by love. Let us then give ourselves up to God without apprehension of danger. He will love us, and enable us to love him; and that love, increasing daily, will produce in us all other virtues. He alone can replenish our hearts which the world has agitated and intoxicated, but never could fill. He will take nothing from us but that makes us unhappy.
We shall only be made to alter a little in our actions, and correct the motive of them, by making all referable to Him. Then the most ordinary and seemingly indifferent actions will become exercises of virtue, and sources of consolation. We shall behold in peace the approach of death, as the beginning of life immortal; and as Paul said, We shall not be unclothed; but clothed upon, and mortality shall be swallowed up of life.”(89)

Let us therefore no longer fear to commit ourselves wholly to Him. What risk do we run, in depending solely on His goodness? Ah! He will not deceive us, unless by bestowing an abundance beyond our highest hopes: but those who expect all from themselves will inevitably be deceived, and must suffer this rebuke by the prophet Isaiah: Behold all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks; walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled.— This shall ye have of my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.(90)

The soul advanced thus far has no need of any other preparative other than quietude: for now the Divine Presence, which is the great effect, or rather the continuation of prayer, begins to be powerfully felt, and the soul experiences what the apostle Paul saith, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.(91) The soul certainly enjoys transcendent blessedness, and feels that it is no longer she or he that lives, but Christ that liveth in the her; and that the only way to find Him is to turn the mind inward.(92) We no sooner do this, than we are filled with the consolations of His presence: we are so amazed at so great a blessing, and enjoy an internal converse, which external matters cannot interrupt.

The same may be said of this species of prayer, that is said of wisdom: “All good things come together with her.” For the virtues now flow from us into action with so much sweetness and facility, that thy appear natural and spontaneous.

88) Psalm 46:10
89) 2 Corinthians 5:4
90) Isaiah 50:11
91) 1 Corithians 2:9
92) Galatians 2:20

The most profitable and desirable state in this life is that of Christian perfection, and consists in the union of the soul with Infinite Purity, a union that includes in it all spiritual good; producing in us a freedom of spirit; which raises us above all the events and changes of this life, and which frees us from the tyranny of human fear; it gives an extraordinary power for the well performing of all actions, and acquitting ourselves well in our employments; a prudence truly Christian in all our undertakings; a peace and perfect tranquility in all conditions; and, in short, a continual victory over self love and our passions.

It is impossible to attain Divine Union solely by the activity of meditation, or by the meltings of the affections, or even by the highest degree of luminous and elegantly composed prayer; for, according to Scripture, no man shall see God and live.(93) Now all the exercises of discoursive prayer, and even of active contemplation, being performed in the life of our own will, we cannot thereby see God; for all that is of man’s own power or exertion must first die, be it ever so noble; ever so exalted.

John related, that there was silence in heaven.(94) Now heaven represents the centre of the soul, wherein, ere the Divine Majesty appears, all must be hushed to silence. All efforts, nay the very existence, of self-love must be destroyed; because it is the natural will that is opposed to God, and all the malignity of man proceeds from it, insomuch, that the purity of the soul increases, in proportion as the natural will becomes subjected to the Divine Will.

Therefore, the soul can never arrive at Divine Union but by the annihilation of its will; nor can it ever become one with the Father, but by being re-established in the purity of its first creation. God purifies the soul by His Wisdom, as refiners do metals in the furnace. Gold cannot be purified but by fire, Hhich gradually separates from it, and consumes, all that is earthly and heterogeneous: it must be melted and dissolved, and all impure mixtures taken away, by casting it again and again into the furnace: thus it is refined from all internal corruption, and even exalted to a state incapable of further purification. It now no longer contains an adulterate mixture; its purity is perfect, its simplicity complete and it is fit for the most exquisite workmanship. Thus we may see that the Divine Spirit, as an unremitting fire, must devour and destroy all that is earthly, sensual and carnal, and all self-activity, before the soul can be fitted for, and capable of, union with it.

I will make man more precious than fine gold.(95) But when the Word which was in the beginning begins to burn, destroy, and purify then the soul, not perceiving the salutary designs of these operations, shrinks back from them; and as gold seems rather to blacken than brighten when first put into the furnace, so the soul conceives that its purity is lost, and that its temptations are its sins.

But while we confess that the enjoyment of God is the end for which we were created; that without holiness,(96) none can attain it; and that to attain it we must necessarily pass through a severe and purifying process; how strange is it, that we should dread and avoid this process, as if that could be the cause of evil and imperfection in the present life, which is to be productive of glory and blessedness in the life to come!

Let all, then, press forward towards the mark, suffering themselves to be guided and governed by the Spirit of Grace, which will infallibly conduct them to the end of their creation, the enjoyment of the Blessed Presence.

It may perhaps be said that some may pretend to have attained this blessed state; but alas! none can any more pretend this than the wretch, who is on the point of perishing with hunger, can for a length of time feign to be full and satisfied; some wish or word, some sigh or sign, will inevitably escape him, and betray his famished state.

Be ye perfect, even as you Father, which is in heaven is perfect.(97) The soul, remaining in its disorderly will, is imperfect; it becomes more perfect, in proportion as it approaches nearer to the Divine will. When a soul is advance so far that it cannot in any thing depart therefrom, the Divine will, it then becomes wholly perfect, united with, and transformed into, the Divine Nature; and being thus purified and united to Infinite Purity, it finds a profound peace, and a sweet rest, which brings it to such a perfect union of love, that it is filled with joy. It conforms itself to the will of the great Original in all emergencies, and rejoiced in everything to do the Divine good pleasure.

The Lord draws near to such a soul, and communicates Himself inwardly to it. He fills it with Himself because it is empty; clothes it with His light and his love, because it is naked; lifts it up, because it is low; and unites it with Himself.

If you would enter into this heaven on earth, forget every care and every anxious thought, get out of yourself, that the love of God may live in your soul, so that you may be enabled to say with the apostle: It live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.(98)—How happy should we be if we could thus leave all for Him, seek Him only, breathe after none but Him; let Him only have our sighs! O, that we could but go on without interruption towards the enjoyment of this blessed state! God call us thereto. He invites us to enter our inward centre, where He will renew and change us, and show us a new and heavenly kingdom, full of joy, peace, content, and serenity.

The spiritual, abstracted and retired soul has here its peace no more broken, though outwardly it may meet with combats, and may sometimes be naked, forsaken, fought against, and desolate, because, from the infinite distance, tempests never reach to that serenest heaven within where pure and perfect love resides. For although the prince of darkness my indeed make violent assaults against it; yet it makes head against them, and stands like a strong pillar; no more happening to it than happens to a high mountain in a storm. The valley is darkened with thick clouds, fierce tempests of hail, and thunder; while the
lofty mountain glitters by the bright beams of the sun, in quietness and serenity, continuing clear like heaven, immovable, and full of light; such a soul, indeed, is a mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.(99)

In this throne of quiet are manifest the perfections of spiritual beauty; here we shall enjoy the true light of the secret and divine mysteries of Christ, perfect humility, the amplest resignation, the meekness and innocence of the dove, liberty and purity of heart; here is witnessed joyful simplicity, heavenly indifference, continual prayer, a total nakedness, perfect disinterestedness, and conversation of heaven. This is the rich hidden treasure; this is the pearl of great price.

93) Exodus 33:20
94) Revelation 8:1
95) Isaiah 13:12
96) Hebrews 12:14
97) Matthew 5:48
98) Galatians 2:20
99) Psalms 125:1